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###### Postal Service

          - 39 CFR Part 111

# AGENCY:

                        Postal ServiceTM.                    

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Postal Service is amending                         *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*                         Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to clarify the consequences for using a foreign return address on a domestic mailpiece.                    

# DATES:

*Effective date:*                         January 1, 2024.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Catherine Knox at (202) 268-5636, Treishawna Harris at (202) 268-2965, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On November 6, 2023, the Postal Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking (88 FR 76162-76163) to further amend subsections 602.1.5.4 and 609.4.3 to clarify the procedures applicable to undeliverable domestic mailpieces bearing a foreign return address. The Postal Service did not receive any formal comments.

The Postal Service is revising DMM subsections 602.1.5.4, and 609.4.3, to clarify that undeliverable domestic mailpieces with a foreign return address will be handled in accordance with the Postal Service's dead mail procedures.

                    In a separate rule, the Postal Service will also revise a few related sections of the International Mail Manual (IMM) including subsection 762.2,                     *Undeliverable Domestic Mail Bearing U.S. Postage and a Foreign Return Address.*

                    We believe these revisions will provide customers with a more efficient mailing experience. The Postal Service adopts the described changes to                     *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*                     Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the                     *Code of Federal Regulations.*

We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes.

# List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

      - Administrative practice and procedure
      - Postal Service

Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:

# PART 111—GENERAL INFORMATION ON POSTAL SERVICE

1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as follows:

Authority:5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.

2. Revise the *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*                         Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:                    

## Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

## 600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

* * * * *

## 602 Addressing

## 1.0 Elements of Addressing

* * * * *

## 1.5 Return Addresses

* * * * *

*[Revise the heading of 1.5.4 to read as follows:]*

## 1.5.4 Use of Foreign Return Addresses

*[Revise the text of 1.5.4 to read as follows:]*

When U.S. postage is applied to a domestic mailpiece, as defined under 608.2.1 and 608.2.2, only a domestic return address is authorized. An undeliverable domestic mailpiece bearing a foreign return address cannot be returned to sender and will be handled as dead mail under 507.1.9.

* * * * *

## 609 Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage

* * * * *

## 4.0 Claims

* * * * *

## 4.3 Nonpayable Claims

Indemnity is not paid for insured mail (including Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail), Registered Mail, COD, or Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express in these situations:

* * * * *

*[Revise the text of 4.3 by adding a new item “ag” to read as follows:]*

ag. An undeliverable, registered or insured domestic mailpiece bearing a foreign return address.

* * * * *

Sarah Sullivan,

Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.

[FR Doc. 2023-27975 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710-12-P